St. Innocent Orthodox Church Z Founded in 1967 Z Moscow Patriarchal Parishes Z 23300 W. Chicago _ Redford, MI 48239 _ 313-538-1142 _ Fax: 313-538-8126 Church Website: www.stinnocentchurch.com _ E-Mail: [email protected] St. Innocent Monastic Community: 9452 Hazelton, Redford, MI 48239 _ 313-535-9080 PASTOR: Rt. Rev. Mitered Archpriest ROMAN STAR _ Cell: 313-319-0590 Dean, Central States Deanery, Patriarchal Parishes April 3, 2016 ASSISTANT PRIEST: Rev. DANEIL SHIRAK _ 313-295-3073 EPISTLE: Hebrews 4:14 - 5:6 (#311) DEACON: Rev. Dn. Michael Comerford GOSPEL: St. Mark 8:34 - 9:1 (#37) SUBDEACON: Dr. Joshua Genig TONE: 3 ATTACHED: Sister Ioanna CHOIR DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Star Hatfield READERS: Robert Joseph Latsko & George Hanoian

Z 3rd Sunday of Great Z Cross-Veneration Sunday Z

_ 9:15am— HOURS, CANON, AKATHIST & CONFESSIONS _ _ 10am—DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT _

COMMEMORATED TODAY: Veneration of the Holy Cross. Ven. Nicetas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion (824). Virgin Martyr Theodosia of Tyre, and Martyr Irene (307-308). St. Illyricus of Mt. Myrsinon in the Peloponnesus. Martyrs Elpidephorus, Dius, Bithonius and Galycus. Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos “THE UNFADING BLOOM”.

FOR THE REPOSE OF: Estelle & Joseph Star; Anna & John Witkowski; Michael Sr. & Margaret Rusko; Mary, Andrew, Daniel, Michael & Lottie Yakuber; Ross & Margaret Falsetti; Helen, John & Carole Andrayko; Peter & Theresa Harvilla; Marc Dade; Betty Martell; Frances & Todd Smoly; Peter Glover; Irene Adams; Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua deVyver; David Horka; Michael Rusko, Anna Lichagina, Yelena & Zinaïda Korniyevskaya, Joseph Nossal, Michelle Tucker, Todd Comerford ALSO FOR: Fr. James Bertolini (newly departed, February 29th; retired in Las Vegas, NV, previously in Detroit), by Fr. Roman

MEMORY Paul Yupco whose Anniversary of his Repose is Wednesday, 6 April, by grandson, Fr. Roman ETERNAL!

FOR THE HEALTH OF: Archimandrite Seraphim; Priest Daneil, Matushka Debra & Corrina Shirak; Deacon Michael, Matushka Mary Ellen & Julius Comerford; Matushka Mary Donahue; Subdeacon Joshua & Abigail Genig; Reader Robert Latsko, Reader George & Betty Hanoian, Rose Nossal, Mary Glover, Nancy Cupp, Deborah Dade, Vasiliki Stamoulis, Gerald Martell, Azbehat, Donald Yakuber, Carl deVyver, Jo Anne Nicholas, Joan Rusko, Daria, Joseph Nossal Ed Manier (recuperating from stroke); Theodore Gomulka, Martha Genig (broken ankle) ALSO FOR: Donald Yakuber, who is in the hospital MANY YEARS! Richard Ziats, who is in the hospital Alex Blum, who celebrates his Birthday on Tuesday, 5 April Jared Nossal, who celebrates his Birthday on Thursday, 7 April Š MAY GOD GRANT THEM MANY YEARS! Š

SCHEDULE FOR THE COMING WEEK *** During , abstain from eating meat, dairy, eggs & fish until Pascha. *** TODAY: Sun, 4/3 6pm COCC LENTEN VESPERS #3; at Nativity of Virgin Mary, 5 Mile & Haggerty, Plymouth; w/ Fr. Stratton D. Wednesday 4/6 6:30pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY #4, followed by pot-luck supper (all Presanctifieds at St. Innocent this year) Saturday 4/9 10am SOUL-SATURDAY MEMORIAL DIVINE LITURGY FOR THE DEPARTED #4 4pm GREAT VESPERS & CONFESSIONS Sunday 4/10 4th Sunday of Great Lent: St. John of the Ladder (Climacus) Sunday 9:15am HOURS & CANON; CONFESSIONS 10am DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL, followed by Coffee Hour 6pm COCC LENTEN VESPERS #4; St. Michael’s Church, 26355 W. Chicago, Redford; w/ Fr. Dimitrie Vincent Feasts this week: Thurs, 4/7: St. Tikhon of North America & Patriarch of Moscow

Z CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST Z HE IS NOW AND ALWAYS SHALL BE Z CANDLES FOR LAST SUNDAY, 27 MARCH YEARLY CHURCH VIGIL LAMPS: Royal Doors Lamp: In Memory of Husband Joseph; Son Kenneth; parents Michael & Margaret Rusko, & John & Martha Nossal, by Rose Nossal Altar Candelabra: In Memory of Parents, Nicholas and Susan Yakuber, by son, Donald Yakuber Altar Candles (2): In Memory of Irene Adams, by Goddaughter, Iconostasis Lamps: In Memory of Parents, Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua; Robert David H; & Health of brother, Carl, by Sister Ioanna Candles on the Solea: In Memory of Peter & Theresa Harvilla, Norman & Monica Holst, & Ricky Ellis, by Jason & Debra Truskowski Table of Oblation Lamp: In Memory of Parents, Helen & John Andrayko, Sr. & sister, Carole Andrayko, by John Andrayko, Jr. Reliquary-Icon Lamps: Sts. Innocent & Tikhon: In Memory of sisters, Anna, Margaret, Theresa & Irene; & brothers, John, Edwin & Michael, by Rose Nossal Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Herman: Health of Joseph/Sue; Robert/Diane; Pat/John; Joseph B., Jared, Rachelle/Aaron, Gabriel; Tricia, Lindsey, by Rose Nossal Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Raphael & St. Elizabeth: In Memory of brother, Edwin Rusko, by Rose Nossal Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Seraphim & St. Alexis: In Memory of Ross & Margaret Falsetti, by daughters, Rose Ann Everhardt & Margie Martell Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Hilarion & Sts. Alexandra & Martha (AVAILABLE) Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Nestor & St. Gerontius (AVAILABLE) IN MEMORY OF (MEMORY ETERNAL!) Joseph & Estelle Star, by son Father Roman and family Paul & Alexandra Yupco, Basil & Ellen Starinshak, by grandson, Father Roman and family John & Anna Witkowski, by daughter, Matushka Rose Marie and family Samuel & Mary Kupec, by granddaughter, Matushka Rose Marie and family Parents, Helen & John Andrayko, and sister, Carole Andrayko, by John Andrayko My husband, Joe; my sisters, Margaret & Ross Falsetti, Anna & Mike Elaschat, Theresa & Pete Harvilla, Irene, & brothers, Michael, John & Edwin Rusko; niece, Rose Mary & Dean Hough; Joe’s brothers, Raymond & Walter Nossal, & sisters, Theresa, Florence & Helen Nossal, by Rose Nossal ++ + Pete & Theresa Harvilla, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay Truskowski + + + My husband, Michael Rusko, by Joan Rusko Parents, Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua; David H; Nina I; Marion P; Fr. Photius; Mo. Benedicta; Archm. Roman; Olive, by Sister Ioanna Child Lana Wilson, Shirley Troyer, Marsha Olsen, Betty Stelmaszek, by Becky Jurczyszyn FOR THE HEALTH OF: (MANY YEARS!) Elizabeth & Lawrence, Caitlin & Zachary, by parents & grandparents, Father Roman & Matushka Rose Marie Gregory & Tamiko Star, by parents, Father Roman & Matushka Rose Marie Children, Grandchildren & Great-grandchild; Monk Fr. Sdn. Tikhon (Dade); by Rose Nossal Father Roman & Matushka & family; Sister Ioanna; John Andrayko; Nancy; Mary G; Jo Anne N; Grandson Joey (in the Navy Reserves) & all people in the Armed Forces; & all the people of St. Innocent Church, by Rose Nossal + + + Sdn. Joshua Genig, by Genig Family My Mom, Jaime Truskowski, by Kay Truskowski + + + Family & Friends, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay T. Brother, Greg & Donna, nephew, Gregory & Liz & nephew, Alex, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay + + + Ed Manier, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay Archimandrites Nafanail, Gregory & Seraphim; Fr. Roman & Mat. Rose Marie; Fr. Lawrence & fam; Fr. Laurence & fam; Fr. Daneil & fam; Dcn. Michael & fam; Mat. Mary D; Carl; Sdn Fr. Tikhon; Sdn Andrew; Sdn Joshua, Abigail & children; Rdr Robert; Robert M; David Samuel, Sky & Avi; Jo Anne & Nick; Athanasius; John A; Ed (stroke) & Tiffany; Kim & fam; Vasiliki; Rose; Emil; Billy & Fonda; Lena, by Sister Ioanna Jay Nossal, by Rose Nossal + + + John Andrayko (May God watch over him), by Rose Nossal + + + Rose Nossal, by John Andrayko Jason, Marianna, Amilia, Liliana + + + Galina & Oleg Chernuhin, Patricia & Eric Wess, by Wess Family + + + Olga Ludwick, by Wess Family PROSPHORA FOR TODAY IS OFFERED BY: Vasiliki Stamoulis In Memory Eternal of: Panagiota (5/28); Theodore (6/11); Demetrios (8/6); Filomila (5/5); Demetrios (2/15); and all other departed family, friends & loved ones; and For the Health of: daughter Panagiota & son-in-law Stamati, their son Konstantinos (Namesday 5/21 & B-day 6/27/10), & daughter, Maria (7/31/14); Vasiliki; Vasilios; Maria; George & family; Maritiza & family; Panagiota & son; Christos, Konstanina & son Andrew; & all other family & friends; all mothers, grandmothers & expectant mothers (Mothers’ Day); for all aborted babies; for the sick & suffering...and for the least of these....; for our Armed Forces; & for peace in the Ukraine, the Middle-East, Africa, & throughout the world. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) TODAY, SUNDAY, APRIL 3rd, AT 6PM: COCC Inter-Orthodox Sunday Lenten Vespers for the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, at Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Church, 39851 Five Mile, Plymouth, (southeast corner at Haggerty, just west of I-275). SPEAKER: Fr. Stratton Dorozenski 2) 4th PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY THIS WED., APRIL 6th, AT ST. INNOCENT AT 6:30 PM. The Presanctified Liturgy is one of the most beautiful of the special Services of Great Lent. This year all 6 Presanctified Liturgies will be held at St. Innocent. We have a casual pot-luck supper afterwards. Guests from other parishes join us. Do come — & make a special effort to come to as many of the Lenten Services as possible. 3) PASCHA FLOWERS & BOWS: Please donate for our Pascha flowers to decorate Christ’s tomb, and the church for Pascha. (You get to take them home after Pascha.) Also, Pascha Bows, like Christmas Bows, are our two annual fund-raisers, vital for paying our bills. Please donate at least 1 ‘Bow’ for the living and 1 for the departed, with a $5 donation for each. Use the cards Mary Ann has already decorated, or write the names of your loved ones and friends for whom you are praying on index-cards and your cards will be decorated and attached to our large cross until Ascension. Please help us to meet our goal of having at least 100 Pascha ‘Bows.” See Mary Ann Harvilla for both the flowers and Pascha Bows. 4) KITCHEN & COFFEE HOUR SUPPLIES: We’re pretty set now, but we always can use large cans of coffee & packs of bottled spring water. 5) LISTEN EVERY SUNDAY TO THE COCC’S DETROIT’S OWN ORTHODOX RADIO HOUR [DOOR] ON WNZK 690-AM, 4-5 pm, or on your computer/smart-phone, live, at http://www.doorradio.org. This website also has an archive of all its previous programs. 6) LATEST ISSUE OF THE COCC’S “GOOD WORKS” (Jan-Feb) NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE IN FULL-COLOR. To view it on-line, go to: http://coccdetroit.com/files/Good%20Works/COCCGoodWorks-2016JAN-FEB.pdf. Printed copies available at church, or can be mailed. LIFE OF ST. ENLIGHTENER OF AMERICA & & METROPOLITAN OF MOSCOW (1797 - 1879) Z Feast Days: March 31st & October 6th In 1824, 30 years after the establishment of the Russian Orthodox mission on Kodiak Island, a new phase of mission work among the Alaskan people commenced. At that time Fr. John Veniaminov, a 27-year old priest, arrived on the Aleutian Island of Unalaska, Alaska, with his wife and family, thus beginning the 37 years of missionary work in Alaska of St. Innocent, Apostle to America. On Unalaska the young Fr. John built the Holy Ascension Church (photo to the right). Fr. John was born in 1797 in the small village of Anga, near , Siberia, seven years before the glorification of St. Innocent of Irkutsk. After his father reposed, the future saint lived with his uncle, the parish deacon, in the family house in Anga (photo to the left). Then, for eleven years the boy attended the school that St. Innocent had established in Irkutsk. Thus, it was very appropriate when Fr. John later received his monastic name in honor of St. Innocent of Irkutsk, the "Holy Man of Siberia." The brilliant future saint and bishop had numerous gifts in addition to his zeal and love of God. Besides being a scholar, linguist, scientist and writer, he also had many practical and technical skills. In Alaska he worked tirelessly on behalf of the people. He learned the Aleut and other native languages and created written alphabets for them, so he could translate the catechism, liturgical books and Bible for the natives and teach them to read. His famous book, The Indication of the Path to the Kingdom of Heaven has gone through countless editions in many languages (a photo on our website shows an 1899 edition), and is an Orthodox spiritual classic. An original copy of his translation of the Gospel of St. Matthew into the Aleut language (see photo on website), that includes some of his own hand-written notes, is still in Unalaska’s Ascension Cathedral. Throughout his 43-years of missionary work in Alaska and Siberia, the saint traveled extensively, teaching and preaching to the people, who loved him for his gentleness and compassion. As Fr. Herman also had done, Fr. John taught the natives practical skills: construction, carpentry, gardening, animal husbandry, metalworking. He built churches, orphanages and schools, where trades were taught along with religion and traditional studies. While on a trip to Moscow on behalf of his Alaskan mission work, Fr. John’s wife died, and in 1840, he was tonsured a monk, given the name “Innocent,” in honor of the first Bishop of Irkutsk who was glorified in 1804, and consecrated as the first resident Bishop of Alaska. Bishop Innocent traveled throughout his large, new diocese, preaching and serving in the native languages, expanding his prior work. His diocesan center was in Sitka, where he built the St. Michael Cathedral (photo to the right), and established a seminary to train native clergy. (This work is continued today at the St. Herman Seminary on Kodiak Island.) The seminary was located in the Bishop's House (photo to the left) which St. Innocent built, and where he lived. [The Bishop of Alaska continued to live in that house until about 1970, when the State of Alaska bought the historic building, restored it, and converted it into a museum. The second floor has been restored to its appearance when St. Innocent lived there, including the still functioning Chapel and bishop's quarters, and includes one of the clocks and some of the furniture that St. Innocent made.] In 1852 Bishop Innocent’s diocese was enlarged to an archdiocese, to include the northeastern areas of Siberia. When he moved the center of his activity to Yakutsk in Siberia, he appointed an auxiliary bishop for Alaska. In spite of his requests to retire due to ill health, in 1869 (just two years after sold Alaska to the United States), St. Innocent was made Metropolitan of Moscow (the Head of the entire ), from where he continued to watch over his former mission fields. When St. Innocent reposed in 1879, he was buried at the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra Monastery in Sergiev Posad, about 45 miles north of Moscow. He was glorified as a saint in 1977, and now his relics are in a very prominent place, in front of the left front pillar in the Dormition Cathedral at the Lavra (photo to the right). As a result of the missionary work of St. Herman and St. Innocent, many thousands of native Alaskans came to know the Lord, and Orthodoxy was established in America, of which all Orthodox people in America are heirs today. By: Sister Ioanna, St. Innocent of Alaska Monastic Community, Redford, Michigan (Article slightly abridged to fit on 1 page.) See complete article with additional & larger photos on our website at: http://stinnocentchurch.com/lifeofstinnocentofalaska.html THE SYMPHONY OF LENT By Fr. Daniel C. Kovalak Holy Cross Church, Williamsport, PA

Having had the opportunity to sing an operetta with the local symphony orchestra, it’s remarkable to me how wonderfully our Orthodox liturgical progression from Pre-Lent to Lent to to Pascha not only presents “the greatest story ever told,” but also resembles the performance of a musical masterpiece. I recall how at one rehearsal the conductor, abruptly bringing all to full stop, angrily tapped his baton, stomped his foot and shouted, “You’re not following me! The score says lentando!” Lentando means “to make slow;” slowing down the music’s tempo to create a reflective, contemplative, even solemn mood. This is especially employed in operas to build and enhance the personality and disposition of characters and to give the audience glimpses into their respective life struggles and inner conflicts that will be brought to bear as the story unfolds. That’s pretty much “lent,” isn’t it?! Time to slow down, to adjust the tempo of our daily lives from the hectic pace that consumes us to a more contemplative one that incites inner reflection and self-awareness. It’s a time to earnestly reflect on our character: what makes us tick, what lifts us up and what drags us down. The mood created by our extra services, their somberness and solemnity, complemented by the readings, hymns, movements, commemorations and participation in confession reveal our desperate need for some serious “lentando” in our lives. Lentando, however, is not stagnant but dynamic. It lays a foundation upon which to build, paving the way for something to come. In musical terms, it’s normally followed by a variation of “andante calmo,” literally “walking calmly.” Having manifested traits of the characters by slowing to a reasonable, manageable tempo, the piece now assumes and maintains a pace that allows the story to unfold. The early weeks of Lent likewise assume we have hit our stride, that our pre-lenten instruction has adequately prepared us to adopt a certain rhythm, especially of prayer and fasting. And whereas Forgiveness Sunday Vespers directs us to “begin the fast with joy,” our now “walking calmly” includes “allegretto” as well—a tinge of joyfulness. By the third week of Lent, when the precious Cross of Our Lord is planted in our midst, our musical score is marked “poco a poco accelerando”—to accelerate, to pick up the pace little by little, not just for the thrill of speed but because our desired destination is slowly coming into view. When the music accelerates, it’s taking you somewhere; there’s a “crescendo”—a “growing”—to emphasize an imminent crucial point of the story it seeks to tell. Crescendo is a movement toward a point that prepares the audience to experience and embrace the climax of the story, with voices and orchestra collectively manifesting their individual talents at optimal levels to “bring the story home.” weeping at the tomb of Lazarus, only to call him to come forth after four days represents, at least to me, a great crescendo! Each day of Holy Week represents “a symphony within the symphony.” Like acts of a play, each building upon the one before, they’d be musically-marked “presto;” literally meaning “very fast,” but more appropriately “ready.” Everything to this point of the symphony has been preparing the audience not merely to passively observe, but “enter into” the story’s summit. All the variations in tempo, dynamics and mood; the array of sounds produced by combinations of instruments and voices; the musicians fully offering themselves in sacrificial service to achieve the desired end-result—all resources have been brought to bear and now stand ready to deliver “the message;” to the experience of its zenith. There are many musical terms to be considered in reference to Great and Holy Pascha. My choice would be “vivace”—“vivacious”—joyously unrestrained, enthusiastic, exuberant, lively! That’s a pretty good word to describe our celebration of the glorious resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! If after progressing through the various stages, movements and elements of the score you arrive at the end and cannot muster some serious “vivace” at the proclamation of “Christ is Risen,” you just haven’t been listening at all. The world continues its insanity at a frantic pace, with no storyline, truth, morality or particular destination in mind. So many threatening and horrific events occurring these days are merely the latest, tragic reminders of the frailty and fallenness of the world. But the symphony of Lent draws us into the premier masterpiece of God’s mission “for the life of the world and its salvation.” Source: www.oca.org/Reflections-In-Christ ST. TIKHON,

BISHOP OF AMERICA and PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW (1865 - 1925) Feast Days: March 26th & October 9th

The American Orthodox Church was blessed to have as its bishop for 9 years, the relatively recently glorified ST. TIKHON, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW (1865- 1925). Throughout his life he was known for his simplicity, humility, kindness, uncompromising devotion to Truth, and a boundless love for the Church and Her people. In 1898 the young Bishop Tikhon, named for St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, arrived in America as the bishop of the one, united Orthodox Diocese. He did much for the Church in America. He established a seminary in Minneapolis, a monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, dedicated to St. Tikhon, and the St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City. He consecrated 2 auxiliary bishops to serve Alaska and non-Slavic immigrants. With true spiritual vision, he stressed the unique missionary nature of the American diocese, its need for multi-ethnic unity and its destiny to be self- governing.

After being recalled to Russia, he was elected Metropolitan of Moscow in 1917, and, in the middle of the Communist Revolution, presided at the 1917-18 Council that re-established the Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was chosen by lot to become the first Patriarch in 200 years.

Under the Soviet regime, he defended the Church and its people and refused to compromise the Faith, for which he was tortured and imprisoned. Even while in prison, his peacefulness, patience, humility, compassion, strength and faith during great suffering were an example and inspiration to his people, then and now. He was buried at the Donskoi Men's Monastery, and now his relics have been placed in a beautiful reliquary and transferred to the main Cathedral of the monastery, up front, on the left, by the solea. (Photo to the right)

By: Sister Ioanna, St. Innocent of Alaska Monastic Community, Redford, Michigan [The icon at the top was painted/written by Fr. Theodore Jurewicz, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and is located on the nave wall in St. Innocent of Irkutsk Orthodox Church in Redford, Michigan.] Source: our church website: http://stinnocentchurch.com/lifeofpatriarchsttikhon.html THE CROSS: “TO REFRESH OUR SOULS AND ENCOURAGE US” By Fr. Stephen Kostoff “Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy Holy Resurrection, we glorify.” This hymn – together with the accompanying rite of venerating the Cross – replaces the usual Trisagion hymn during the Divine Liturgy on the Third Sunday of Great Lent. According to The Synaxarion of the Lenten Triodion and , the full title of this mid-lenten commemoration is “The Sunday of the Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross.” In a wonderful commentary, The Synaxarion sets before our spiritual sight the meaning of this particular commemoration and its timing: “The precious and Life-Giving Cross is now placed before us to refresh our souls and encourage us who may be filled with a sense of bitterness, resentment, and depression. The Cross reminds us of the Passion of our Lord, and by presenting to us His example, it encourages us to follow Him in struggle and sacrifice, being refreshed, assured and comforted” [page 78]. Hopefully, the first three weeks of the Fast – even if we have truly “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” [Galatians 5:24] – have not led us to experience “bitterness, resentment and depression!” However, we could be suffering from precisely those spiritual wounds for other reasons and diverse circumstances in our lives, both external and internal. My own pastoral experience tells me that this is probably – if not assuredly – the case. And there is no better time than Great Lent to acknowledge this. Such acknowledgment could lead to genuine healing if pursued in a patient and humble manner. How, then, can we be healed? Perhaps the Sunday of the Cross reveals our basic starting point. The Cross of our Lord, placed before our vision, can release us from our bondage to these passions when we realize that Christ transformed this instrument of pain, suffering and death into an “emblem of victory.” Christ has absorbed and taken our sins upon Himself, nailing them to the Cross. In the process, “He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in Him”—or, in some variations, “in it,” meaning the Cross [Colossians 2:15]. These “principalities and powers” continue to harass us to this day, but if we are “in Christ,” then we can actualize His victory over them and reveal their actual powerlessness. Our lenten journey is leading us to the foot of the Cross and to the empty and life-giving tomb, and the Third Sunday of Great Lent anticipates our final goal so as to encourage us. Again, from The Synaxarion: “As they who walk on a long and hard way are bowed down by fatigue find great relief and strengthening under the cool shade of a leafy tree, so do we find comfort, refreshment, and rejuvenation under the Life-Giving Cross, which our Holy Fathers “planted” on this Sunday. Thus, we are fortified and enabled to continue our Lenten journey with a light way, rested and encouraged” [pg. 79]. Certainly none of the above is meant to deflect our attention away from the “scandal of the Cross” by poeticizing this scandal away in pious rhetoric. We must never lose sight of the sufferings of our Lord on the Cross, and the “price” He paid to release us from bondage to sin and death. The world in its indifference will never come to understand the enormity of Christ’s sacrifice. So as not to lose sight of the utter horror of crucifixion as a form of capital punishment, I would like to include a passage from Martin Hengel’s book Crucifixion: “Crucifixion satisfied the primitive lust for revenge and the sadistic cruelty of individual rulers and of the masses. It was usually associated with other forms of torture, including at least flogging. At relatively small expense and to great public effect the criminal could be tortured to death for days in an unspeakable way. Crucifixion is thus a specific expression of the inhumanity dormant within men which these days is expressed, for example, in the call for the death penalty, for popular justice and for harsher treatment of criminals, as an expression of retribution. It is a manifestation of trans-subjective evil, a form of execution which manifests the demonic character of human cruelty and bestiality” [page 87]. So much for the “noble simplicity and greatness” of the ancient world! But there is “nothing new under the sun,” and fallen human nature is just as cruel and evil today. Again, Christ absorbed all of that human cruelty and bestiality on the Cross. This was a scandal, for the Son of God died the death of a slave on the Cross [Philippians 2:8]. Now, as a “new creation” in Christ, we must of course manifest our freedom from precisely that dark and demonic abyss into which human beings can plunge, and manifest the transfiguration of our human “energy” into the virtues that are so wonderfully revealed in the lives of the saints. This was the prayer of the Apostle Paul when the light of the crucified and risen Lord began to shine in a world of darkness: “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us [or you] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins [Colossians 1:14]. The Church understands and will put before our gaze the sufferings of the Lord during Holy Week. But it is also from within the Church that we come to know the victory of Christ achieved through His death on the Cross and fully revealed in His Resurrection. Thus the marvelous paradox of venerating a “Life-Giving Cross!” The rhetoric of the Church’s language is thereby not empty but revelatory of a mystery that has been accomplished in our midst. The Synaxarion concludes its section on “The Sunday of the Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross” with the following prayer, a fitting way, I hope, to conclude this meditation: “O Christ our God, through the power of the Holy Cross, deliver us from the influence of our crafty enemy and count us worthy to pass with courage through the course of the forty days and to venerate Thy divine Passion and Thy Life-Giving Resurrection. Be merciful to us, for Thou alone art good and full of love for mankind. Amen.